Social activist Vidya Kamble becomes first Transgender member of Lok Adalat panel in Nagpur

The 29-years-old Vidya Kamble, a transgender activist from Maharashtra becomes a member of National Lok Adalat panel in Nagpur. The activist says the society should not discriminate against the LGBT community, instead should come forward to support such people.

Vidya Kamble is the first transgender to be a panel member of Lok Adalat in the state, district legal aid committee secretary Kunal Jadhav said. Kamble is working as a social activist since last 10 years.

The activist was on the panel of the Lok Adalat held in the Nagpur district court yesterday. When Kamble was questioned what prompted her to be a part of the Lok Adalat, she said it gave her a feeling of pride.

"The (other) members of the panel were very supportive. The secretary of the district legal aid committee gave me the opportunity to be a part of the panel," she said.

The panel resolved several disputes, including a Rs. 19 lakh claim settlement between an insurance company and a medical insurance policy-holder, Ms. Kamble told PTI.

"For the last nine days, I was involved in verification of cases (that were listed for the Lok Adalat). We were able to settle a case where a girl got her medical insurance claim of Rs. 19 lakh," Ms. Kamble said.

The newly-appointed member of the Lok Adalat, Kamble questioned, why families ostracise transgender babies. “If a child is born with a disability, he/she is not neglected or thrown out,” she said. “Then why transgenders are rejected?" she asked.

On transgender activist, Kamble's inclusion in the Lok Adalat panel, Jadhav said such people such be recognized by the society.

"Many of these people are well educated. They should be recognized by the society. People do not accept them easily or employ them," he said. He also added that even disabled persons have been a part of the Lok Adalat panels in the past.

Jadhav also praised Ms. Kamble's work efficiency and said she did very well while dealing with the cases that came in front of the Lok Adalat.

The members of Lok Adalat panels are given the task of settling cases pending in the courts or disputes that are at a pre-trial stage. The Lok Adalats have a statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.